Power of Praise

I gifted my artwork to my British students in praise of their outstanding participation in the 'Generation UK-India programme'

Power of Praise

Do you know praise can have a powerful impact on your students? Research in psychology and neuroscience reveals praise can promote attention, performance, learning, and retention. 

Receiving praise releases dopamine - the neurotransmitter that drives our brain’s reward system. Dopamine releases feelings of enjoyment and reinforcement which motivates us to complete and continue doing certain tasks.

Teacher praise is one tool that can be a powerful motivator for students. As per Institute of Education Sciences, 'praise' as one of the top five most effective teaching practices. Surprisingly, research suggests that praise is underused.

To paraphrase, Daniel T Willingham, professor of cognitive psychology at the University of Virginia, “To motivate students – especially older students who are better able to appreciate the differences between what is said and what is meant – teachers need to praise that has been earned.” 

From the research on praise, a classroom rich in praise prepares brains for optimal performance and learning. Knowing what to praise your students for and when to give that praise is just as important as the praise itself. 

According to renowned cognitive psychologist Daniel Willingham, praise should be:

- Perceived as sincere, earned, and truthful

- Specific

- Personalized

- Focused on process

- Immediate

- Unexpected

How do you acknowledge a student for a good job he/she has done?

Praise can promote attention, performance, learning, and retention.

******